Sharks push on to Christchurch

 

The Sharks could have broken their 36 hour travel by staying over and preparing in Sydney, but elected to push on through all the way to Christchurch. 

 

White admitted that it would be disrespectful to a proud rugby nation if they did not base themselves there ahead of Saturday’s semifinal clash against the Crusaders.

 

“We have some great memories from that part of the world, a couple of months ago we got an incredible victory there," White said.

 

"We’ll get there as soon as possible, it’s going to be a long-haul journey, 36 hours, and it’s very rarely been done that a team will make that sort of trip and win, but we’re just going to go and enjoy it."

 

Although the Sharks have beaten the Crusaders already this season in Christchurch – against all odds – White knows it is a different game altogether in the knock out stages.

 

“We know if we play well enough we can beat the Crusaders because we’ve done it before," the coach added.

 

"It’s knockout rugby though, and that's a whole new game – it’s meaningless what’s happened before and how many All Blacks they have, and what the history books say.

 

“I’m a big believer that this group of players can beat anybody, and we’ve beaten both the Crusaders and Waratahs already this season.”

 

If White is to learn any lessons from the Highlanders game, it is that a victory against a team previously may actually fire-up the opposition to come out stronger.

 

“If we play well, we can get a win," White continued.

 

The Highlanders flew from the other side of the world and nearly beat us, and they finished sixth and we were third.

 

"It’s going to happen at some stage that a team that finishes outside the top two will go on to win the competition.”

 

The Sharks may have the odds against them but it can be said that the momentum is also with them heading into the semifinal.

 

“I was proud of the boys because other teams might have lost from that position [against the Highlanders on Saturday]," White said.

 

"I think we played some of our best rugby in those last 20 minutes. 

 

"When we get a win like we did over the Stormers, and then fought back to beat the Highlanders, it’s a great way to take momentum into the semi-finals.

 

"It wasn't a comfortable win, but at this stage it often doesn’t happen that way. 

 

"It’s a great lesson in how tough the knockout stage is.

 

The Sharks and Crusaders contest the first semifinal with the winner going on to play the victor between the Waratahs and Brumbies.

 

Should the Brumbies overcome the table-topping Waratahs in Sydney (and the Sharks emerge victorious) the Super Rugby Final would be played back in Durban.